Mitch Calvert
The wait is over.
After wrapping up berths to the all-Ontarios two weeks ago, the two Muskie badminton pairs finally will hit the court for real tomorrow in Sudbury.
The senior boys’ duo of Tim Desjardins and Rory Bagacki went undefeated in five matches at the NWOSSAA final in Thunder Bay to claim top spot in their division while Chelsea Carlson and Kimika Alexander went 4-1 in senior girls’ doubles to nab the second of two OFSAA berths up for grabs in their division.
Desjardins, sporting a bit of a playoff beard during Monday’s final practice here, will be making his third-straight OFSAA appearance—albeit with a new partner after Jamie Jensen graduated last spring.
He said he’s better prepared for the task at hand.
“I won’t be as nervous as I was the first and second years,” Desjardins stressed. “There’s three categories, ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ to win in, so we’re hoping to do well in at least one of the lower divisions.”
The duo was somewhat surprised with the relative ease in which they disposed of the rest of the teams at NWOSSAA, but know the competition level will go up a notch or two in Sudbury.
“I thought we’d probably come in second or around there [at NWOSSAA], but there wasn’t actually much competition there,” Desjardins admitted.
“I felt we did extremely well.
“In our first year at OFSAA, [Jamie and I] just froze and didn’t know what to do,” he recalled. “The key is not to be nervous at all when you get to your first game.”
Desjardins’ former partner, Jensen, who has helped Manami Alexander coach the Muskie contingent this season, had some words of advice for his old teammate.
“I’ve told the boys they have to keep their power up because when you are at OFSAA, it’s not just speed and accuracy, you have to have a hard smash and be able to finish a rally,” Jensen explained.
Carlson and Alexander, meanwhile, have subdued expectations about their first trip to OFSAA, especially considering the two are under-aged for the senior level (being in just Grade 10 and 9, respectively).
“It’d be nice if we could win, but I don’t have expectations to do so,” Carlson conceded. “We’re playing the best [in Ontario] so all we can do is do our best, and whatever happens, happens.”
Jensen said the girls can’t get too overwhelmed with the level of competition and just focus on their own game.
“I’ve just told them to keep their feet moving and just stay focused, and try to keep their shots as low as possible so they can stay on the attack,” Jensen stressed.
“Keep the birdie low as the less you are on the defensive, the better.”
Carlson and Alexander edged a strong Dryden duo in three sets to claim the second OFSAA berth from Thunder Bay, with their only blemish coming in a tight three-set loss to a pair from Wawa.
They’ve played a lot together leading into this week’s event—and should be a force to be reckoned with during the rest of their Muskie badminton careers.
“Some games were really easy, and there were a couple that were hard,” Alexander said of
NWOSSAA.
“I’ve been playing my whole life, but [Carlson’s] only been playing a little bit and she’s probably way past me,” she added.
Jensen said he’s tried to stress what’s to come at the all-Ontarios to both pairs, but has high hopes knowing what they are capable of.
“There’s going to be high competition, but they’ve been through it all,” he stressed. “Timmy went to OFSAA the last two years, and the girls work hard and they know what to do.”
Jensen said watching from the sidelines gives him a unique perspective on things—but also noted it’s especially hard not being able to get out on the court himself.
“Tough to be on the sidelines,” he remarked. “Watching the shots and seeing them get caught up in the rally and not staying focused on their shots, it’s just nerve-racking.
“When I was playing myself, I didn’t have to go through that and now I see every little thing, and it makes it tough.”
The seven-person caravan to Sudbury left yesterday afternoon, and the athletes said they’ll just be glad when they get to the hotel.
“Seven people in one van, seven seats, five days of luggage,” Carlson noted.
“Not a fun ride, I’m guessing,” Alexander mused.
Check out www.fortfrances.tv for video.
